Method of treating fluidal matter



Nov. 8, 1932. H. G. LYKKEN METHOD OF TREATING FLUIDAL MATTER Original Filed July 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wll Nov. 8, 1932. LYKKEN 1,887,317

METHOD OF TREATING FLUIDAL MATTER Original Filed July 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 8, 192

PATENT OFFICE nanny a. 1mm, or umxmroms, mmmso'ra IETHOD F TREATING ILUIDAL MATTER Original application filed July 8, 1925, Serial No. 41,168. Divided and this application filed April 17, 1980. Serial No. 445,078.

The present invention relates to a novel method of treating pulverized or fluidal matter, the present application being a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 41,-

166, filed July 2,1925.

Among the objects of' the invention is to provide a novelmethod of separating and classifying fine particles of matter and conveying the separated particles to a place 01 1) use, such as 'to a combustion chamber of a furnace or similar device where the material used is powdered or pulverized fuel. The material is preferably first crushed and pulverized and the pulverized material is prefer- 1 ably cast or projected into a stream through which a fluid, such as air, may be drawn to carry part of the projected material from the projected stream thereof, in a state of suspension to a separating point, the air acting as a medium of conveyance and suspension, and also as a supporter of combustion at the point of use. i

To efi'ect classifying separation of the fines from the coarser particles or the fine particles 23 that are wet or laden with moisture, the invention comprehends the feedin of the stream of air and suspended particles tangentially or similarly into a classifying or separating chamber so thatthe mass may be 33 given a centrifugal action, a wh rl, eddy, or vortex action, or a cyclonic action, so that the finer particles, not laden with moisture,

may be carried with the air stream to the place of use, preferably by way of a blower or an exhaust fan, or similar draft means creating a drawing action on the air and suspended particles in the pulverizing and separating mechanisms.

An illustrative embodiment selected for carrying out the present novel step or steps of the novel process has an outer chamber or casing connected with a pulverizing. device and having an end wall having an outlet connection to the exhaust fan, this chamber acting as a passage for the material and air.

\Vithin this chamber is preferably provided an inner chamber specifically in the form of a hollow cone being open at both ends, the

larger open end of which being so located 53 that the flow of the material and air may be from the outer chamber into the inner chamberthrough such opening. This open- 1 ing is preferably variable either by moving the inner chamber to or from an end of the outer chamber so as to decrease or increase such opening, or by interposing a movable sleeve between the open end of the inner chamber and the s ace of the outer chamber, such that the raising of the sleeve will decrease the opening and the lowering of the sleeve will increase the opening.

Between the open larger end ofthe inner chamber and the walls of the outer chamher, is preferably provided a set or seriesiof spaced vanes or blades so located that the stream and air proceeding toward the inner chamber will pass between and among these vanes or blades and be directed tangentially into the inner chamber through the larger open end thereof so as to produce the centrifugal action, whirl, eddy, vortex or cyclonic action, or the like, above mentioned. The degree of this action will be controlled by the size of the opening or passage at the open end of the inner chamber and the degree of draft action effected by the feeding means or blower operating to convey the separated particles and air to the placeof use.

This illustrative embodiment for carrying out the present novel method of. treating fluidal matter may also have preferably, at its lower and smaller end a ischarge outlet through which the coarser particles or the fine particles laden with moisture, may be discharged back into the outer chamber for return to the pulverizing device or for further suspension of the fine particles in the upwardly moving stream of air and suspended material, these particles being returned again to the separating chamber for separation. The discharge opening is prefer-- ably tapered and of a size to hold sufiicient material to prevent a back-flow of air therein and also for permitting an aspiration at the discharge end of this discharged opening by reason of the stream of air and suspended material blowing or flowing past such discharged end.

Beneath this discharge opening is' preferably provided a spreader for alding and spreading the discharged material over a large area for a facile aspiration of the material as it is discharged. In this way, when the particles are being discharged, the upward fiow of air will catch up some of the fine particles and carry the same back to the separating chamber, these particles, n the meanwhile having part or all of its moisture extracted so that they may be separated in the separating chamber and carried to the place of use along with the other separated particles.

The invention also comprehends the novel step or steps of projecting a stream of pulverized material against impact members preferably arranged in different points so that the cast or projected material may be widely dispersed and thoroughly mixed. These impact members may be in the form of cross bars and arranged relatively proximate so as to restrict the area of the passages therebetween and increase the velocity of air passing upwardly between them and through the stream of materials being projected thereagainst and dispersed thereby.

The air or other supporter of combustion is preferably admitted in the lower part of the pulverizing device and drawn upwardly through the spaces between these bars and through the mass of material being projectedagainst these bars and dispersed by them. The stream of air will then carry the particles of the material in suspension to the separating means, expansion of the fiuidal mass occuring in the outer and inner chambers of the separator, to permit the return of the coarse particles, in addition to the separation effected by the action in the inner chamber.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities and process steps are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawings illustrating the invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through a device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken throughthe separator of the device; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through a modified form of the separator.

Referring now more in detail to the figures of the drawings, the embodiment for carrying out the steps of the present novel'process, and selected to illustrate the invention is shown as comprising a pulverizing device having a casing 1 in which is rotatably mounted a pulverizing rotor 2 driven by a shaft 3 and carrying pulverizing arms 4 cooperating with a corrugated pulverizing surface 5 and material 6 located in the base of the chamber 1 so that a mulling action occurs be- 65 tween the material carried between the hammers 4 and the surface of the material 6 located in the bottom of the pulverizer. In other words, a pulverizing zone is created around the rotor 2 and between it and the surfaces of the corrugated member 5 and the material 6. I l

At the upper part of the pulverizer is located a hopper 7, in which the material, such as coal 8 may be placed for crushing by a crushing roll 9 operating upon the material 7.; and in cooperation with a plate 10 pivotally mounted upon a pivot 11 secured to the casing of the pulverizer. The late 10 has secured to it an arm 12 carrying a weight 13 which may be adjusted on the arm 12 as desired. The plate 10 is held in a position with reference to the crushing roll so as to gauge the size of the material to be crushed. A supporting member 14 may be provided on the pulverizer so as to hold the arm 12 in proper position for the plate 10 to be in gauging position with reference to the crushing roll 9. The crushed material is then fed into a chamber 15 where the materialis acted upon by a feeding roll 16. It is desired that the material be fed into the chamber 15 at a greater rate than the feeding roll feeds it therefrom into the chamber of the pulverizer. If the material increases in the chamber 15 at a greater rate, it will pile upwardly against a door 17 and be fed back into the hopper 7 If any piece be engaged by the feeding roll 16 of greater size than would be ordinarily permitted to pass, a release gate 18 normally held in place by spring 19 will yield to permit the passage of such piece. The material is fed by gravity into the chamber of the pulverizer and on the discharge side of the pulverizing rotor 2. If there are any hard and non-crushable pieces fed into the chamber, the arms 4 will impact them'at initial contact with sufficient force to castthem downwardly into the bottom of the chamber 1 and to imbed them in the fuel or other material without in any way carrying them around with 11-) the rotor, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Located within the chamber 1 and outside of the pulverizing zone are impact members 20 and 21 preferably in the form of cast bars 1!.) supported by suitable transverse members 22 and 23 secured to the side walls of the pulverizer.

At the opposite side of the pulverizer chamber is provided an air inlet passage 24 leading into the lower part of the pulverizing chamber. The said inlet passage 24 is located at a position laterally with respect to the pulverizing. zone and entirely outside of the zone so that a stream of air entering said 12.." opening may be caused to completely by-pass said pulverizing zone. Beneath the passage 24 is also provided an opening or passage 25 through which the material accumulated in the bottom of the pulverizer may be withpanslon cham an exhaust fan drawn when it is desired to clean the same.

Above the space 26 in which the materialmay be cast b the rotor is connected an exr or outer casing 27 of a separating device. This casing has an end wall 28 from which leads an outlet connection 29 having a top plate 30, and a discharge opening 31 connected with a conduit leading to (not shown) adapted to draw the material through the separator and to feed the sameto a combustion chamber of a furnace or similar place of use. Within the outer chamber 27 is located an inner chamber 32 preferably of hollow cone shape having an openin 33in its upper and larger end and a disc arge opening 34 at its lower and smaller end. This chamber may be supported by means of a rod 35 secured to a spider 36 attached, in any suitable manner, to the side walls of the cone 32. The lower end of the rod 35 may be also secured to a cone shaped member or spreader 37, the upper surface 38 of which converges with reference to the surface 39 of the discharge end of the cone.

Inthis way the annular throat or discharge assage 34 is tapered as clearly shown in ig. l of the drawings. The upper end of the rod 35 is threaded to receive a thumb nut to act in th 40 whereby the cone may be suspended in adjusted position, a turning of the nut 40 being of utility to adjust the height of the cone as desired.

Within the outer casing 27 at the upper end thereof is provided a circular series of vanes or blades 41 being secured in any suitable manner at their inner ends 42 thereof to the inner wall of the casing 27 or to the upper end wall 28, as desired. These blades extend inwardly toward the upper open end of the cone and in roximity thereto so that the upward flow of air and sus nded particles passing into the spaces Ztween the vanes may be projected inwardly in a tangential direction into the space over the cone 33 and into the same so as to produce a whirling or centrifugal action of the mass of material and air. The cone 32' may be raised or lowered so as to vary the discharged openings between the blades and above the open end of the cone so as to intensify or retard the projection of the material from the spaces between the blades into the cone. This may be also varied by the degree of draft created by the exhaust fan. As the mnssis caused e form of a cyclone or eddy in the cone, the heavier particles will be carried toward the eriphery or side walls of the cone 32 an W-lll be carried downwardly through the discharge opening 34 thereof. Fine particles laden with moisture will also take the same course as the coarse material. The fine and dry particles will be carried to the center with the air and will be drawn I wardly into the outlet 29 and discharge 31 to tional movement of .the material leaves the exhaust fan which will convey the same to the combustion chamber.

The non-separated material proceeding to the lower end of the cone will accumulate in the passage 34 and by reason of the tapered condition of the throat thereof, it will prevent a back-flow of air upwardly through this passage, and will also allow the gravitathe particles through the throat. As the particles pass overthe upper surface 38 of the spreader, and discharge into the space of'the chamber 27, the upward flow of air and suspended particles-will cause an aspiration at the opening of the throat 34 and will again carry up the fine particles which have moisture, and will dry the particles in their recirculation through the blade spaces and to the cone. The air may be heated if desired. These particles may then be separated with the other fine partic es and be carried away for use. The heavier particles not carried upwardly, will return to the pulverizing chamber for repulverizing or regrinding.

In operation, the material to be ground is fed into chamber 1 at a position above the plane of the pulverizing rotor, and by the action of the rotor is reduced within the pulverizing zone, and projected therefrom by centrifugal force created by the rotor. As the pulverizing zone it is freely and forcibly projected in approximately horizontal directions across the space intervening between the impact members and the pulverizing zone, and transversely through the stream of air which by-passes said zone. The projected particles in their fli ht strike against the impact members 20 2111521, so as to further pulverize the material and scatter it about within said by-passing air stream. The bars or pulverizingmembers 20 and 21 are so located at difierent points in the path of discharge of the material from the hammers 4 so as to cause the material cast thereupon tobe dispersed in various directions. The draft created by the fan will cause an inflow of air through the passage 24 into the lower part of the grinding chamber and upwardly through the path of the material projected by the rotor and the material dispersed by the bars 20 and 21. These bars may be of large size and so s aced from each other as to cause restricted space between them whereby the velocity of the air in such space may be increased. The upward flow the air will then carry the partlcles in suspension to the separating chamber.

Additional bars 43 may be placed in the passage from the grind ng chamber to the separating chamber 27 to aid in restricting the passages and effecting tortuous paths to cause an increase of velocity and dispersion effect of the upward flow of air and suspended material.

In Fig.3, the classifying or separating device for carrying out the present novel process is similar to that described'in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, but for the purpose of adjusting the discharge openings from the inter-vane s aces, a sleeve 44, preferably of cylindrical orm, and located between the periphery of the cone 32 and the inner edges of the vanes may be suspended by means of sup orting rods 46 threaded at t e1r uper en s to receive thumb nuts 47 which may e operated to raise or lower the sleeve 44 as desired. The rods 46 pass through suitable openings in the top wall 28 for exterior access for adjustment. In this connection, the cone 32 may be adjusted as desired, but the adjustment may also be made by raising and lowering the sleeve 44.

The raising and lowering of the sleeve Wlll vary the size of the openings between the vanes through which the material and air passes, this mass passing with a whirling action into the upper portion of the cone. As the mass is caused to rotate in the form of a cyclone or eddy in the cone, the cen- 'trifugal action will cast the heavier and coarser particles to the inclined walls of the cone and the finer particles will be carried upwardly and through the passage 29. The heavier and coarser particles will coast down to the opening 34 to be discharged into the passage of the chamber 27 for either reaspiration, as above explained, or for return to the chamber of the grinder or pulverizer for further reduction in size.

When the sleeve 44 is lowered and greater openings are effected at the discharge of the vanes, a decrease in tangential velocity of the mass is effected and consequently there is a less tendency to throw the coarse material outwardly by centrifugal action, thus effecting a carrying of a greater amount of heavier and coarser material, or in other words, the material carried away by the air to the point of use is heavier and coarser than if the velocity were greater. A raising of the sleeve will increase the velocity of projection of the material and air into the cone and thus produce a greater throwing down of the heavier and coarser particles and the retaining or separating of finer particles to be carried away by the air stream to the point of use. Qnly a part of the fine material is thus carried away,

the fine particles which are laden with moisture being carried down with the coarse particles and fed out of the lower end of the cone for reaspiration by the upward stream of air and material passing through the vanes and into the cone. In this way, the fineness of the material ultimately used may be controlled to a fine degree. The reaspiration of the fine particles laden with moisture, will effect an extraction of the moisture therefrom so that the fine particles will then be separated in the cone with the other fine 'parti eles and be carried away for use. "Erom the abo've sion of the materials.

While I have herein disclosed and described a novel method or process of treating fluidal matter and have shown upon the drawings a few embodiments for carrying out this method, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but-also comprehends other constructions, arrangements of parts, details, features and process steps without departing from the spirit thereof.

'Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. A method of feeding fuel comprising creating a pulverizing zone and an entraining space adjacent thereto, reducing material within said pulverizing zone, creating an in-. duced stream of air through said entrainin space in a manner to cause it to by-pass said pulverizing zone, and causing said air stream to entrain pulverized material particles by projecting a stream of said particles across said entraining space and transversely with respect to said air stream, said particles being projected from said pulverizing zone by centrifugal force.

2. A method of feeding fuel comprising creating a pulverizing zone, reducing material within said zone, creating an induced stream of air through space adjacent to the pulverizing zone and in a manner to by-pass said zone, projecting the reduced material by centrifugal force from said pulverizing zone into said space and transversely into said air stream, and effecting a dispersion of the fuel particles within said space as they are projected into the space.

3. A method of feeding fuel comprising creating a pulverizing zone, reducing material within said zone, creating an induced stream of air and causing it to travel vertically through space adjacent the pulverizing zone and in a manner to by-pass said zone, projecting the reduced material by centrifugal force from said pulverizing zone horizontally into said space and transversely into the air stream, and effecting a dispersion of the projected fuel particles within said air stream.

4:. A method of feeding fuel comprising creating a pulverizing zone and an entraining space adjacent thereto, reducing material within said pulverizing zone, creating an induced stream of air through said entraining space in a manner to cause it to by-pass said pulverizing zone, and causing said air stream to yentrain pulverized material particles by projecting a stream of said particles across said entraining space and transversely with respect to said air stream, said particles being projected from said pulverizing zone by centrifugal force, separating heavier air entrained particles from lighter air entrained particles and returning the heavier particles to the pulverizing chamber through said air entraining space, repulverizing the returned material particles and again projecting them into the air stream.

5. A method of feeding fuel comprising creating a pulverizing zone and an entraining space adjacent thereto, reducing material within said pulverizing zone, creatin an induced stream of air through said entramin space in a manner to cause it to by-pass sai pulverizing zone, and causing said air stream to entrain pulverized material particles by projecting a stream of said particles across said entraining space and transversely with respect to said air stream, said particles being projected from said pulverizing zone by centrifugal force, driving off moisture from the heavier air entrained particles by returning them to the pulverizing zone through said en-- training space, repulverizing the returned particles which reach said pulverizing zone, and then again projecting them into the air stream with the other pulverized material.

6. The method of feeding powdered fuel U comprising creating a pulverlzing zone and pulverizing the fuel therein, inducing a stream of air to travel in an approximately vertical direction by-passing said zone, and causing said air stream to entrain pulverized fuel particles by projecting a stream of such particles from the pulverizing zone in an approximately horizontal direction transversely into the air stream, said particles being proj ected into the air stream by centrifugal force created within the pulverizing-zone.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

HENRY G. LYKKEN. 

